Gravity, Cate Blanchett, Chiewetel Ejiofor Win Big at BAFTAs

Cate Blanchett (“Blue Jasmine”) and Chiewetel Ejiofor (“12 Years a Slave”) nabbed the top acting prizes at the British Academy Film Awards Sunday night at London’s Royal Opera House in Covent Gardens.

In accepting her award, Blanchett tap danced around the Woody Allen controversy by dedicating her prize to Philip Seymour Hoffman. “I would like to dedicate this to an actor who has been a touchstone for me,” she said. “You raised the bar continually so high. Phil, you bastard, this is for you. I hope you’re proud!”

Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” won only two of its 10 nominations, but along with the best actor prize, it won the big one, for best film. The director, who was joined by producer Brad Pitt on stage, said, “Right now there are 20 million people in slavery as we sit here.”

The other big award, for best British film, was “Gravity,” which ended up winning six of its 11 nominations, including for director Alfonso Cuarón, cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki (a frontrunner for an Oscar), and also for the movie’s sound, music, and special visual effects. In winning for best British film, the director explained, “You can’t tell by my accent, but I consider myself a British director. I have lived in London for the past 13 years,” he said, adding, “I am a good case for curbing immigration.”

“American Hustle” won only for original screenplay for David O. Russell and Eric Warren Singer, and for best make-up and, deservedly, for its hair styling achievements.

“Dallas Buyers Club” came up empty, as did the four-time nominated “The Wolf of Wall Street.”

Adapted screenplay honors went to Steven Coogan and Jeff Pope for “Philomena.” Coogan was obviously moved by the win and mentioned again, as he had at the Film Society of Lincoln Center free series talk last week, that the prize was “vindication” that he was more than just a comic writer or performer.

Coogan thanked Dame Judi Dench, “who I’ve fallen in love with.” He said of Philomena Lee, who was in the audience, “She’s been heard but there are 1600 people who haven’t,” referring to all the other Irish women whose babies were forcibly taken away from their unwed mothers by the Irish church some half a century ago.

“Frozen” was selected as the best-animated feature, and “The Act of Killing” was named the best documentary.

Jennifer Lawrence (“American Hustle”), who was not at the ceremony, and Barkhad Abdi (“Captain Phillips”), who was, received the best supporting actor prizes. The humble and emotional Abdi thanked Tom Hanks and director Paul Greengrass, along with the other “pirates,” his two fellow cast members who portrayed kidnappers.

Highlights of the show included the presence of Oprah Winfrey, who was nominated for best supporting actress for “Lee Daniels’ ‘The Butler.’” She wore a lace-trimmed burgundy gown designed by Stella McCartney. Winfrey said the dress was still being stitched while she was in the car coming to the ceremony. “I’m stitched in,” she laughed.

On the red carpet, she said of the red carpet brouhaha, “All the screaming and stuff, I’m a little surprised. I thought it would be very British and subdued, but no!” Bafta’s recognition for her first screen appearance in 15 years was a “deep honor” she said. Her date was “Butler” co-star David Oyelowo.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Fry asked DiCaprio to blow a kiss to the camera. “I shall never wash my eyes again,” he said, after the actor good-natured actor complied with his request.

Christian Bale was seen on the red carpet interacting and signing autographs for fans. Pitt arrived with Angelina Jolie, who looked elegant and subdued. The couple looked like they were wearing matching black tuxedos. Although they were the main attraction, it seemed they were trying to cede attention to the actors and filmmakers of “12 Years a Slave,” which was executive produced by Pitt, who also has a cameo in the film.

Prince William, who is the president of BAFTA, presented Helen Mirren with the Fellowship Award for her body of work, and said she was “an extremely talented British actress I should probably call Granny.” He couldn’t resist the crack, referencing her portrayal of his grandmother in “The Queen.”

As she took the stage with the royal, she thanked her husband, director Taylor Hackford, her first ever drama teacher, and quoted memorably from Shakespeare’s “Tempest,” in a passage that could describe the awards season: “And like the baseless fabric of this vision, the cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous palaces, the solemn temples, the great globe itself — Yea, all which it inherit — shall dissolve, and like this insubstantial pageant faded, leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff. As dreams are made on.”

As for what the BAFTAS mean to the Oscars, it means a boost for “12 Years a Slave,” which lately has been overshadowed by “Gravity,” in the awards race. The final showdown will be between these two terrific films.

BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION
EVERYTHING I CAN SEE FROM HERE Bjorn-Erik Aschim, Friederike Nicolaus, Sam Taylor
I AM TOM MOODY Ainslie Henderson
**SLEEPING WITH THE FISHES James Walker, Sarah Woolner, Yousif Al-Khalifa

Paula Schwartz is a veteran journalist based in New York who is passionate about the movies. Her idea of heaven is watching three movies in a row. She’s written for various outlets, including the New York Times, Showbiz411, More and MovieMaker Magazine. For five seasons, she contributed to the New York Times seasonal movie blog, Carpetbaggers, where she covered major awards events and interviewed stars like Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Gary Oldman and Helen Mirren.